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Ithaca tackles Collegetown housing, development issues

Ithaca city lawmakers have approved changes to the city’s zoning code that look to address the high cost of housing in Collegetown.

The rezoning measures also aim to concentrate more development in the heart of Collegetown while protecting residential neighborhoods.

City councilman Stephen Smith represents Ithaca’s fourth ward, which includes the Collegetown area.

“We’re going to see bigger buildings, and I think it’s going to be a lot of positive development,” Smith said, referring to the area around Dryden Road and College Avenue. “We have projects that are ready to go right now to add housing to Collegetown, which is badly needed.”

The new zoning regulations also eliminates minimum parking requirements in high-density areas of Collegetown.